Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)

Oral:

Acetazolamide side effects: 0.2 grams zinc sulfate three times daily has been studied in those with grave acetazolamide- induced side effects.

Acne vulgaris: Doses ranging from 45- 220 milligrams of zinc sulfate (Orazinc® or effervescent), three times daily, up to 12 weeks have been studied. Doses of 45- 135 milligrams of zinc in divided doses have been studied for up to 12 weeks, and 30- 200 milligrams zinc gluconate has been used for three months.

Acrodermatitis enteropathica: Various doses have been studied: 100 milligrams zinc, three times daily; 45 milligrams, two times daily; 30- 65 milligramsdaily; 200 milligrams per day (Solvezink®, Tika AB); 135 milligrams zinc sulfate daily; 220 milligrams, three time daily, or 50 milligrams, twice daily; 45 milligrams zinc, three times daily (Solvezink®, Tika AB); and 45 milligrams zinc, three times daily for two months.

Anorexia: 45- 100 milligrams daily of zinc, zinc sulfate, or zinc acetate have been studied. 15 milligrams zinc (as sulfate), three times daily for two weeks, followed by 50 milligrams, three times daily, has also been used.

Burns: A dose of 660 milligrams of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) has been used.

Cancer: 90 milligrams zinc sulfate per day for five days, with a maintenance dose of 180 milligrams per day, has been used to treat pustules in a woman with squamous cell carcinoma and a zinc deficiency.

Chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease: 45 milligrams zinc as gluconate has been used daily for two months.

Cirrhosis/ alcoholism: 200 milligrams as sulfate has been used three times daily. A daily oral intake of 200 milligrams of zinc sulfate for two months has been studied for its immune- enhancing effects in these patients.

Common cold/ lower respiratory infection: Doses ranged from 4.5- 23.7 milligrams zinc/ lozenge and were taken every half hour during waking hours. Lozenges containing 5 milligrams or 11.5 milligrams zinc acetate or 13.3 milligrams zinc gluconate (Quigley Corporation PA) were taken every 2- 3 waking hours (total of six lozenges per day). Zinc lozenges (Heiko Chemicals, PA) containing zinc acetate, 42.96 milligrams, 12.8 milligrams zinc) have been studied. Zinc lozenges with 10 milligrams zinc (Quigley Corporation) has been used three times daily. 23 milligrams zinc (as gluconate) lozenges has been taken daily for seven days. Lozenges (Quigley Corporation, PA) containing zinc (13.3 milligrams zinc gluconate trihydrate with molar concentrations of glycine) have been used every two hours of waking time. Effervescent lozenges (containing 10 milligrams zinc acetate) taken for three days, and at least four lozenges a day, have also been studied. 23 milligrams zinc lozenges containing 2% citric acid were taken every half hour while awake. 23 milligrams zinc lozenges (Truett Laboratories, TX) were used in one study where patients were instructed to let them dissolve in their mouth. Initial dose consisted of two lozenges, then one every two hours.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD): 100 milligrams per day of elemental zinc for three months has been studied.

Crohn's disease: 60 milligrams per day ZnSO4; 200 milligrams per day ZnSO4 for three months has been studied for thyroid function in Crohn's disease patients. 200 milligrams of zinc sulfate daily for six weeks has also been studied.

Cutaneous leishamaniasis: 2.5- 10 milligrams of zinc sulfate has been used (Analar [BDH]).

Dental application: One or two pieces of a zinc chewing gum for at least 10 minutes, three times daily for one week has been studied to treat halitosis. 0.5% zinc citrate dentifrice has also been studied for three months.

Diabetes: 30 milligrams per day as amino acid chelate for three weeks. 30 milligrams of zinc, (as glycine) for three weeks has been given to alleviate oxidate stress in diabetics; 30 milligrams of zinc (as gluconate) has been studied; 50 milligrams zinc has been used daily for 28 days.

Dialysis: 50 milligrams per day as acetate have been used in dialysis patients for effects on lymphocyte and granulocyte function.

Diaper rash: 10 milligrams zinc gluconate supplements have been used as an adjunct to anti- fungal cream for diaper rash.

Down syndrome/ hypothyroidism: Zinc supplements (1mg/ kg/ body weight) for two months, followed by a 10- month break, and then again for two months of zinc treatment. 135 milligrams zinc (as sulfate) daily for two months.

Eczema: 220 milligrams of daily oral zinc treatment as sulfate has been studied.

Exercise performance: Zinc at 3 milligrams/ kilogram body weight has been studied for four weeks.

Furunculosis: 45 milligrams have been used three times daily (Solvezink®, Tika) for four weeks.

Gastro- duodenal ulcers: Doses of zinc acexamate 300- 1,800 milligrams, three times daily have been studied for five weeks with maintenance doses of 600 milligrams for up to six months. 220 milligrams zinc sulfate taken three times daily for three weeks has also been used

Gastro- intestinal disease: 300 milligrams zinc acexamate has been taken per day.

Gastric/ gastroduodenal ulcers: A- 84, 300 milligrams, three times daily for three weeks. Doses of zinc acexamate 300- 600 milligrams per day. 220 milligrams as sulfate, three times per day for four weeks.

Gilbert's syndrome: 40 milligrams of ZnSO4 in a single dose has been used for acute conditions, and 100 milligrams ZnSO4 in a single dose has been given for seven days for chronic conditions.

Hyperprolactinemia: 37.5 micrograms oral zinc as sulfate and 15.9 milligrams as sulfate has been used three times daily for 60 days.

HIV/ AIDS: 200 milligrams of zinc sulfate has been used daily for four weeks as an aid in immune response. Zinc gluconate (125 milligrams of zinc gluconate has been used twice daily for three weeks.

Immune function: 30 milligrams zinc daily for 14 weeks has been investigated. 200 milligrams of zinc sulfate has been used for two months.

Immune function in the elderly: 25 milligrams of zinc phosphate has been investigated. 220 milligrams zinc sulfate, twice daily for one month. 50, 100, and 150 milligrams elemental zinc has been used daily. 12 milligrams of Zn+ has been used daily for one month in infected elderly subjects.

Infertility: 50 milligrams zinc per day. 66 milligrams zinc sulfate per day for 26 weeks has been used to improve sperm count in fertile and subfertile males. 250 milligrams of zinc sulfate has been used twice daily for three months. 220 milligrams of zinc sulfate has been used once daily, for four months (Cap, ZINCOLAK, Shalaks Chemicals). 440 milligrams zinc sulfate for 12 months. 220 milligrams zinc sulfate for impotence and hypogonadism in hepatic cirrhosis patients. 500 milligrams zinc has been used daily as a supplement with hydrochlorothiazide and sexual side effects.

Inflammatory bowel disease: 300 milligrams zinc aspartate (equal to 60 milligrams elemental zinc) has been used daily for four weeks.

Nickel- positive patients: Zinc sulfate 100 milligrams, three times per day, for 30 days has been studied.

Pancreatitis/ home parenteral nutrition: 30 milligrams zinc sulfate for the first three days of total parenteral nutrition has been used.

Pregnancy: 30 milligrams elemental zinc has been studied during the last two trimesters of pregnancy, but did not improve birth outcome in Bangladeshi urban poor. 14 milligrams iron and 250 micrograms folate with 15 milligrams zinc has been studied in pregnancy.

Psoriasis: 220 milligrams, three times daily for the first for six weeks, then six months. 220 milligrams zinc sulfate three times daily for two months. 50 milligrams of zinc, three times daily.

Rheumatoid arthritis: 220 milligrams of zinc sulfate three times daily has been used up to (Mericon Industries, Ill) 12 weeks. 220 milligrams has been used three times daily for six months (356). 200 milligrams has been used three times daily. 220 milligrams zinc sulfate, three times daily for at least two months (Solvezink®, Astra). 600 milligrams has been used every 24 hours, (divided up into three doses) for eight months, but showed little success.

Sickle cell anemia: 220 milligrams zinc, three times per day has been used. 75 milligrams of zinc supplements have been used daily for up to three years. A solution of 1% of zinc sulfate in distilled water has been used. 15 milligrams zinc as acetate has been used twice daily. 25 milligrams every four hours has been studied to enhance healing of leg ulcers and control sickling of erythrocytes in people with sickle cell anemia. 15 milligrams zinc as acetate, has been used three times daily for 12 months to treat serum testosterone deficiency in adults with sickle cell anemia.

Taste disorders: 45 milligrams zinc sulfate, three times daily has been used as an adjunct to external radiotherapy. 100 milligrams zinc ion has been used daily for three months. 220 milligrams of zinc sulfate has been used daily for six weeks. 29 milligrams of zinc picolinate capsules have been used three times daily for three months. 100 milligrams zinc sulfate has been used daily for six months. 50 milligrams of zinc acetate has been used daily.

Tinnitus: 22 milligrams of zinklet tablets (slow release tablets) have been taken three times daily for over eight weeks. 50 milligrams of zinc has been taken daily. Zinc (34- 68 milligrams per day, for two weeks).

Viral warts: Oral zinc sulfate has been given at doses ranging from 10 to 600 milligrams per kilogram- 1 daily for up to six months.

Wilson's disease: Various maintenance doses have been studied. For example, 25- 150 milligrams zinc acetate in divided doses has been taken for up to one year. Doses of 25- 50 milligrams three times daily have been investigated for maintaining copper balance in those with Wilson's disease. For zinc sulfate, doses used have ranged from 100 to 400 milligrams, three times per day.

Wound healing: 220 milligrams zinc sulfate, three times per day has been used following surgery to promote wound healing.

Topical:

Acne vulgaris: Erythromycin (4%) plus 1.2% zinc for 12 weeks is a commonly studied dose. This dose has been studied for up one year in clinical studies.

Herpes: Two applications daily of 0.3% zinc oxide/ glycine cream has been studied. Virunderim Gel®, containing 10 milligrams zinc sulfate has also been used up to 12 days. 0.01%- 0.05% zinc sulfate solutions has been applied often during a breakout and once a week during remission. Immersion treatment with liquid soap containing 1% zinc sulfate has been used for three months followed by weekly application. A 4% zinc sulfate solution in water has also been used.

Immune enhancement: 10 milligrams zinc gluconate has been studied, and during diarrhea, 20 milligrams of zinc gluconate has been reported.

Sebum levels: Erythromycin lotions (4%) with (1.2%, Zineryt® lotion) have been studied for three months for effects on sebum levels.

Sickle cell anemia: 10 milligrams daily of zinc in a 5 milliliter cherry soup has been taken for one year.

Trichomoniasis: Zinc sulfate douche (1%) and metronidazole has been used.

Intravenous, Intramuscular:

Anorexia: 40 micromoles of zinc per day, intravenously for seven days, followed by 15 milligrams per day for 60 days has been reported.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis: Intralesional injections of ZS 2% and ZnSO4 2% have been studied.

Nasal:

Common cold: 0.12% zinc sulfate nasal spray administered four times per day into each nostril has been reported. Gels containing zinc gluconate (Zicam®) have been used at the recommended dose of one spray (120 microliters) into each nostril, every four hours.

Children (under 18 years old)

Childhood malnutrition: 10 milligrams per day or 1milligram/ kilogram body weight per day by mouth has been studied.

Common cold: 10 milligrams per day taken by mouth or 23 milligrams zinc lozenges (Truett Laboratories, TX) have been studied with initial dose consisting of one lozenge (half of the adult dose) every two hours, not to exceed six per day.

Diarrhea: Children aged six months to two years received zinc (20 milligrams as acetate, in syrup) for treatment of dehydration and diarrhea; 14.2 milligrams zinc acetate or 40 milligrams zinc acetate has also been studied in six month- old to two year- old children, respectively. In 3- 24 month- old infants, 20 milligrams zinc acetate per day for two weeks has been used. Zinc syrup containing 15 milligrams zinc was used on 6- 11 month- old children and 30 milligrams with 12- 35 month- old children. 15 milligrams (in children younger than or equal to 12 months old) or 30 milligrams (in children older than 12 months old) elemental zinc daily in three divided doses has been studied for 14 days. Another study reported using 10 milligrams zinc per day for five days of the week or 50 milligrams zinc once weekly for 16 weeks. Other doses used in children include 20 milligrams zinc daily for up to two weeks; 20 milligrams of zinc as sulfate, two times per day; 10- 20 milligrams zinc in a multivitamin formula for six months; multivitamin juice with 15 milligrams zinc acetate/ kilogram body weight; 10 milligrams zinc sulfate in 4 milliliters liquid per day, for seven months; and zinc gluconate (elemental zinc 10 milligrams) to infants and 20 milligrams to older children.

Down syndrome: 20 milligrams/ kilogram zinc per day for two months showed an increase in DNA synthesis. 50 milligrams (for up to six months) and 1 milligram/ kilogram per day (for up to four months) zinc have shown a reduction in the number of infections.

Eczema: 22.5 milligrams zinc, three times per day (in sustained release capsules), for eight weeks has been reported.

HIV/ AIDS: 1.8- 2.2 milligrams/ kilogram body weight per day, for three to four weeks, has been studied as an immune response aid in children.

Infection: 20 milligrams zinc for one year has been studied for stunted growth and episodes of infectious disease.

Infection with Schistosoma mansoni: 30- 50 milligrams, as zinc sulfate five times a week for 12 months, has been studied for S. mansoni infection in children.

Kwashiorkor: Doses of 2- 5 milligrams/ kilogram zinc supplements have been studied for one week in children.

Lower respiratory tract infections: Studied doses include 10 milligrams zinc gluconate six times a week; 10 milligrams zinc sulfate in 4 milliliters liquid per day, for seven months; 10 milligrams to infants and 20 milligrams to older children or placebo for four months; and 10 milligrams zinc as acetate (twice daily for five days).

Malaria: Studied doses include 12.5 milligrams zinc sulfate for six days per week for six months; 10 milligrams zinc gluconate per day, six days per week; 10 milligrams elemental zinc for six days a week for 46 weeks; and zinc 20 milligrams day for infants or 40 milligrams per day for older children for four days.

Sickle cell anemia: Zinc 10 milligrams per day in 5 milliliters cherry soup has been used in children.

Taste perception: Zinc chelate 1 milligram/ kilogram daily for three months has been used in children.

Wilson's disease: Pediatric patients of 1- 5 years of age were given 25 milligrams of zinc twice daily; patients of 6- 15 years of age, if under 125 pounds body weight, were given 25 milligrams of zinc three times daily; and patients 16 years of age or older were given 50 milligrams of zinc three times daily.

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